Fruit treating apparatus



Aug. 13, 1940. M. EwALD rnun msnm@ 4APPARATUS arman rund sept. 21, 1952 7 shanty-Sho 2 l Hu. I llllumnnflwm.

Aug 13,1940. M. EWALD 2,210,909

FRUIT TRBATNG APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. '-27, 4932 7 Shoo't's-Shee't M. EwALD mum mamme APPARATUS 'ax-ima; Filed spt.""2"1, 1932 v shuts-'shan 4 Aug. 13, 1940,; M- EWAl-D 2,210,909

FRUIT TREATING .APPARATUS i Original Filed Sept?. 27,-2- 1952 7 Sheets-Shut 5 Aug. 13, 1940. M. EwALD 2,210,909

FRUIT TREATING APPARATUS original Filed septrzvlssz v snnslh'es'l Q am M. EWALD FRUIT TREATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Sept. 27.',"1932 f'fg- Patented Aug. 13, 1940 PATENT oFElcE FRUIT TREATING -APPARATUS Mark Ewald,"lympia,

Equipment Company, poration of Oregon Application September 27, 1932, Serial No. 635,06

Wash., assigner to Special Portland, Greg., a cor- Renewed July 29, 1939 vas claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for treating fruit andv particularly to a machine constructed to hold the fruit while cutting the same.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a fruit treating apparatus having provision for effectively holding fruit between a plurality of relatively movable members while performing cutting operations upon the fruit, and wherein means is provided for permitting a relative yielding movement between the holding means during the cutting operation; to provide a fruit treating apparatus having a plurality of relatively movable means for holding a fruit while a cutting operation is performed upon the fruit and '1ncluding means for permitting a relative yielding movement between the holding members during a portion of the cutting operation and for preventing the relative yielding movement between the members during another portion of the cutting operation; to provide a fruit treating apparatus with relatively movable members for holding a fruit during the paring of the fruit, together with means permitting a relative yielding movement between the members duringe'a portion of the paring operation while preventing th-e yielding Y," movement during another portion of the paring i operation, wherein to provide an eiective and complete peeling of the fruit; to provide an apparatus specifically and particularly constructed to peel half fruit, and particularly half pears, wherein relatively movable members are provided for yieldingly holding the half fruit or half pear while a peeling operation is performed thereon, and wherein means is provided for preventing the relative yielding movementbetween the holding members during the nal portion of the peeling operation, whereby to prever'tthe edge portions of the fruit being injured during the peeling operation; to provide yieldable holding means for fruit cutting and particularly fruit peeling operations, and specifically for cutting half fruits, wherein the 'fruit is yieldingly held between opposed relatively movable members in order to compensate for variations in size of fruit, and particularly during a portion of acutting or peeling operation, and wherein the holding members are positively held or locked against relative movement during another portion of the cutting and/or peeling operation so as to provide an accurate and clean cutting effect; to provide a holding and cutting mechanism for fruit which operates to prevent the adhesion of the somewhat sticky fruit to the holding means, whereby to permit the operation or discharge of the somewhat (Cl. 14S-43) gummy or sugary fruit from the holding means; to provide a. fruit cutting and particularly a fruit peeling device embodied in an automatic `machine which will effectively cut fruitsof variant firmness, such for instance as ripe or partially ripened peaches, pears and the like, and specically soft or firm pears; and to provide an automatic machine embodying the foregoing features.

The above generic object and a vast number of corollary objects later to be made apparent, resides in the novel arrangement, unique construction, and improved combination of the parts comprising the invention as set forth in the following description, in which like reference characters designate similar parts.

While the present invention is exemplified in vconnection with a device for treating pears, it is to be understood that certain of the generic aspects of the invention are equally applicable to other types of fruit.

In the accompanying drawings made a part of this specification: y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying the invention taken from the front, with certain parts not shown to clarify assembly of other parts; v

Figure 2 is aside elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 as taken from the right side;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the same machine as viewed from the rear;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the machine as taken from the left side with certain background parts not shown;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the machine as taken through a vertical central section.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the device taken in cross section at the plane designated by the line 6-6 in Figure 5;A

Figure '7 is a fragmentary View of the device showing a side elevation of the peeling mecha- IllSm;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-section of the peeling mechanism, taken at the line II-II of Figure '7, and with certain parts omitted to more saliently present the parts shown;

Figure 9 is a lateral and horizontal section taken through the machine as indicated by the line |8-l8 of Figure 4; v

Figure 10 is a transverse section taken through the machine as indicated by the line |9-I9 of Figure 4, and shows particularly a Geneva cam arrangement; I

. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the inner wallof a fruit cup element taken in elevation.

aml

Like reference characters are used throughout the following description and in the drawings to indicate similar parts.

The frame The frame providing a support for the device, selected from a number of possible embodiments, comprises the several upright angle members I8, I I, I 2 and I3, which are symmetrically and equally spaced. Near the bottom of said angle members and fabricated thereto by studs I4 are four cross bars I5 describing a square, the four upright members being rigidly positioned at the four corners of the transverse iigure.

Halfway between the standards II and I2 and secured to cross bar I5 by means of studs I6 is a vertical bracket I1 presenting the face of a broadened Aend I8 contiguous to said cross bar. The upper end of the member I1 provides a ilared section I9 presenting a fiat face inward of the frame. Lateral displacement of the upper end of bracket I1 is prevented by a cross tie to the frame upright I2 in the form of a strap 28.

Fitting flatly next to the inwardly presented face of section I9 is the butt 54 of a horizontal bearing member 55, to be there stationed by means of cap screws 56. Within the member 55, and in alinement with a tapped boring 51 therebetween, are two bearings 58 and 59 all having vertical axes, the latter of which, 59, being centrally located relative to the frame. An intricate transverse end plate 68 may form the forward end of the cross member 55, and a rib 6I may be provided coextensive its greater dimension. Conjoining the four upright standards at their top at each of its four corners by means of studs 2I is a square box casting 22. Rods 23 extend or converge inwardly and upwardly from each corner of the casting 22 to culminatfe in a central crown bearing 24. In this manner a strong and rigid frame is assembled for the device, which frame is further strengthened by the cross attachment of Various parts of the mechanism as will be made apparent later.

The driving mechanism shaft 26. Said shaft is in turn rotatively journaled in bearing blocks 21 and 28 secured to the outside of upright members II and I2 respectively.

An internal cone clutch member 29 projects to the right from the hub of pulley 25. Keyed to the shaft 26 in a manner permitting of longitudinal movement thereon is a second element 38 of the cone clutch assembly containing a circular recess 3| with an inclined wall 32. The complemental member 30 provides at its right side a section of smaller diameter'and having an annular boss 33 circumscribing its periphery. A hand wheel 34 may be turned upon the .end of shaft 26 asa stop to prevent the recessed member 38 from sliding oi the end of the shaft.

To the left of the pulley 25, between said pulley and the bearing block 21, is a small pinion 43 keyed to the shaft 26.

An implement for shifting the position of the clutch member 30 is provided in the form of a compound lever 35. Said lever has a bifurcated nular boss 33 that it may rotate therein. Be-

drilled and tapped tting 4I.

tween the end 36 and the opposite end, or handie 38 of the lever 35, is a circuitous articulation reaching to a position in approximate alinement with the uprights I 8 and II and culminating in a vertical bearing 39.

Suspended intermediate uprights a. side bar 48 to which is attached I0 and II is a centrally levers 35 is seated over the member 4I in a manner to shank of a bolt 42 threaded into said member.

On the upper edge of the cross member I5 between standards I8 and II is a boss 44 to which is anchored, by means of a stud 45, the foot 46 of bearing standard 41. The horizontal leg 48 of standard 41 presents a bearingv 49, and extends to have its end suitably fastened to a side of upright II.

Opposed to standard 41, and similarly secured to the cross brace I5 between vertical members I2 and I3 and to the member I2, is a. congruent standard 58 carrying a bearing 5I complementa] to and in alinement with bearing 49. Rotatively mounted within the bearings 49 and 5I is a. cam shaft 52. l.The right end of the shaft 52 extends beyond the standard 41` to receive in a manner to rotate therewith a gear wheel 53 of a greater diameter than the pinion 43 and meshing therewith.

drilled and tapped operate about the The bearing 39 of v(if) Fniit,before1being split and peeled, is fed by hand vinto the loading mechanism at the front of the machine.` Abase frame 18 for the loading mechanism .is substantially vtriangular lin shape and presents between the vertical frame standards I 8 and I3 a horizontal piece 1| vto be there secured by machine studs 12. The position thus assumed by the piece 1I strategically lends to the strength of the machine frame, and provides at its mid-section a at face 13, see Figure. 10, to coincide with the end plate 68 to support the front end of the horizontal bearing member 55 with the aid of cap screws 14. Vertical bearings 15 and 18 are placed within the'two vends of piece 1I to be embraced vwell within the corners formed by the angles I0 and I3 respectively.

Rising symmetrically upwardly and forwardly from the extremities of bar 1I are integral truss members 15a uniting in a circular junction 16a providing a vertical bearing 11. Extending directly forward and upwardly within the plane described by the trusses 15a and from the junction 16a is an arm 18 at the end of which is a fourth vertical bearing 19 which is aggregated in the frame 10. A short reinforcing member 88 in retrogression of arm 18 conjoins the bearing box 16a and the mid-section of horizontal piece 1I.

Directly above bearing 19 is a boss 8I depending downwardly from the side 82 subtending the converging ends of member 83 comprising a trapezoidal structure 84. The structure 84 projects forwardly from the machine from adjacent the top of uprights I0 and I3. The boss 8l has a. central aperture 85 which coreceives 4with the bearing 19, and in a non-rotative manner, a vertical shaft 86. l

Resting upon the top face of the bearing member 19 is a sleeve 81 which is free to rotate about the stationary shaft 86. Secured to the sleeve 81 to rotate therewith is the lhub 8 of a Geneva cam 89. The cam 89 as shown in Figure 10 has a body of at'plate material having spaced alternately about its circumference six deep radial grooves 90, and an equal number of arcuate cut-away sections 9|.

The lower end of a spindle 92 is journaled in the bearing 11, the upper end of the journaled member being rotatively confined within a suitable bearing 93 providedjn a hood 94. Keyed to the spindle contiguously beneath the hood is a small sprocket wheel 95 for driving said spindle. Also, feathered to the spindle 92 and at its lower end is a cam member 96 conjunctive to the Geneva cam 89. The member 96 comprises an eccentricplate 91 measurably elevated to a horizontal plane just below that described of the Geneva cam 89 by a downwardly projecting hub 98 riding on the upper edge of bearing block 16a.

A roller bearing 99 is journaled in an upright position 'adjacent the point of eccentricity of of the plate 91 by means of a pin |00. Opposed to the roller and upon the upper face of the eccentric plate 91 is an intricate super-structure IOI having an arcuate edge |02 generated about the longitudinal axis of yspindle 92, and of equal radius to that describing the arcuate sections 9| of the Geneva cam 89. The edge |02 is interrupted by a concavation |03, thereby forming shoulders |04 and |05.

A beveled pinion |06 is securely fastened to the cam shaft 52 by a set screw |01. Similarly mounted on the lower end of a shaft |08,.sta tioned vertically in the bearing 58, is a beveled gear |09, the latter meshing with the pinion |06. An offset hub IIO extending upwardly from the gear |09 bears an annular toothed shoulder I|I. The extreme upper end ofthe shaft |08 carries, to rotate therewith, a sprocket wheel |I2 which is of equal elevation to the sprocket 95. Th-e two sprockets 95 and II2 are operatively connected by a roller chain |I3.

Reference is again had to the front of the machine. The hood 94 provides a hole ||4 circumscribing the sleeve 81. Securedl to the sleeve 81 just above the hood 94 `is al collar II5 fastened xedly thereto, and in a manner prohibitive of axial displacement. 'I he collar I I5 serves as a base rest for a circular cam I|6 bearing an irregular race intermediate upper and lower flanges ||1 and II8, respectively. Anupwardly inclined camming surface I|9 followed by a downwardly inclined surface (not shown) is provided in the cam ||6. The culmination |2| dividing the surfaces ||9 and |20 is shown at the back side of the cam, Figure 2.

' Depending from theleft and lower side of the flange I|8 is a horizontal arm member I22'forming at its extended end an upturned lug |23. The arm |22 is stationed firmly upon the flange ||8 by means of a bolt |24 so that a movement of the lug bearing end of said arm will result in a rotary motion being transmitted to the cam ||6 rather than a pivotal movement of the arm about its anchorage |24.

'I'he operating means for the arm |22 and the cam II6 comprises the now to be described linkage inter-connecting said arm and a cam |25 keyed vto the cam shaft 52. In the left face ofa cam |25 is an eccentric groove |26 circumscribing the bearing receiving the shaft 52 (see Figure 4). Presenting a broad flat face to the grooved side of cam |25 is a cam follower |21 having a roller bearing |28 mounted on said flat face to project into the groove or race |26.

A longitudinal slot |29 in the cam follower |21 prohibiting vertical displacement of the cam fol- Along the upper edge of the follower |21 is a narrow rib or track I3I. Depending to the left, in a horizontal manner, from the side wall of bearing 59 and secured by standard fastening means |32 isa guide bracket |33. The lower side of the bracket |33 is scored by a deep groove |34, which receives the track |3| in a slidable manner 'to insure a movementof the cani follower |21 in its forward and backward progressions having deviation neither to the right nor to the left. l

One end of horizontal link |35 hingedlyenjoins an intricate lug |36 at the forward end o f the cam fo1lower|21 by means of a journal member |31 anchored in said lug. The opposite end of link |35 operatively engages a slot |38 at the extended end of an arm |39 keyed to a vertical shaft |40, and by means of a pin I4I. Journals for the shaft |40 are provided in the bearings 16 and |42, the latter being in a block |43 secured within the angle of the upright I3 by means of cap screws |44.

Gravitational' displacement of the vertical shaft |40 juxtaposed to the upright I3 is prevented by a short sleeve |45 fastened to the shaft top by a machine lscrew |46. The sleeve |45 rides upon the upper face of the bearing block |43. Midway of the ends of shaft |40 is an arm |41 normal thereto and held thereon to rotate therewith by means of a set screw |48. The free end of arm |41 extendsto the right and contains an eye |49 having a vertical axis.

A turnbuckle |50 comprising an apertured head I5| and a stem |53 having right and left hand threads at opposite ends, connects the lug |23 to the arm |41. A pintle |52 cojoins the head |5I to the eye |49, while'the head and the lug |23 operatively engage opposite. ends of the compoundly threaded stem |53. Between the ends of the stem |53 is a polysided section |54 making said stem adaptable to manipulation with a wrench.

Immediately above the cam ||6 and upon the sleeve 81 and to rotate with said sleeve is a feed turret |55. Radiating horizontally from the hub |56 of the turret are legs |51 at sixty-degree intervals, Each leg terminates in an enlarged section forming a block |58; the blocks being joined by integral strap ligatures |59. A channel |60 of rectangular cross section communicates from the under to the upper side of the blocks |59.

Disposed in each of the channels |60 in a manner adapted to vertical reciprocationis astem I6I of cross section congruent to that of said channels. The lower ends of the reciprocating members |6| have mounted thereon in an inwardly directed manner short brackets |62 having conical roller bearings |63 journaled to the innermost end. The bearings I 63 are disposed within the race of cam I I6 and conform to the converging opposed faces of the upper and lower parts ||1 and II8.

Upon the upper end of each stem |6| is a feed cup |64 secured thereto, in a seated position, by bolts |65. The cups |64 are identical and compose a single solid casting. From an outer position onopposite edges of a dished seat |66 in a cup |84, rise side members |61 in continuation of the curve established in the' seat. Likewise, a third curved member |68 projects upwardly from the innermost edge of the seat.

The member |68 is a pedestal having in its top face a cavity carrying a ball bearing |69. A base |10 for each cup |64 provides a horizontal flat Vface |1| centrally positioned relative to the cup, 'and a lug |12 projecting downwardly from the side of said face. The flat face |1| rests upon the top of stern |6| while the lug |12 fits closely along the side of said stem to. coreceive a bolt |65.

To the outer face of the bearing blocks |58, and fastened by means of studs |13, are brackets |14 carrying roller bearings |15 adapted to rotate about a vertical axis provided by suitable journals in the ears |16.

The following will illustrate the manner in which the feed turret |55 is made to rotate in an intermittent manner for reasons to be made apparent later. First, it is disclosed that the belt pulley 25 is operated continuously in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed from the right side of the machine by means of any prime mover, not shown. The cone clutch member 30, which is feathered to the main drive shaft 26, is moved to the left by the operation of lever 35 and forced to engage the walls of recess 3| with the coniform shoulder 29 of the pulley 25.

Such engagementA immediately causes the main drive shaft 26 and the pinion 43 to turn with the pulley 25. The pinion 43 transmits power to the gear Wheel 53 to cause the latter, and th'e cam shaft 52 to which it is keyed, to rotate in a manner retrogressive to the main drive shaft. The resultant power imparted to the beveled pinion |06 is transmitted to the coacting gear |09 to turn the vertical shaft |08 and the sprocket H2 in a clockwise direction with reference from above.

It follows that the roller chain H3, through the agency of sprockets ||2 and 95, propels the spindle 92 clockwise. As the eccentric cam member 96 is turned clockwise, the roller bearing 99 and projection |0| operate alternately with the slots 90 and arcuate sections 9| of the Geneva cam 89. The circular camming edge |02 exactly coincides with a face 9| and slides there against without imparting any rotary motion to the cam 89. In fact, the cam 89 is locked to bar rotation in either direction by the body |0I. However, as the member 96 is rotated further and the shoulder |04 reaches the point in alinement with the two vertical shafts 86 and 92, there is no obstruction to an anti-clockwise movement of the cam 89.

Simultaneously with the alined position of the point |04, the roller bearing 99 makes contact with the forward edge of the presented slot 90. Continued turning of the shaft 92 causes the bearing 99 to advance inwardly of the slot 90 meanwhile imparting a rotary movement to the cam 89 (see Figure 10) Subsequently, as the roller 99 egresses from the slot 90, the shoulder |05 starts entrance to the vsucceeding arcuate section 90 as an impediment to further rotation to the cam 89. Since there are six slots in the Geneva cam 89, six interruptions will be had during a complete revolution thereof. A like movement is impelled to the hexagonal feed turret |55, which is keyed mutually to the sleeve 81 with the cam 89.

The feed turret |55 and sleeve 81 turn independently of the cam H6, the latter being operated by the before described linkage from the cam |25, and at a predetermined instant while the turret |55 is stationary. 'Ihe first movement of the cam H6 is had' in a clockwise manner to elevate the feed cup |64 whose stem |6| bears a roller |63 at the foot of the incline H9.

Upward displacement of the feed cup |64 is incident to trimming the stem from a pear'therein, A return, or anti-clockwise movement of the cam H6 is had simultaneously with the subsequent similar shift of the feed turret, so as to keep the roller |63 upon the culmination |2| and hence the stem |6| in an elevated position. The reason for elevating the feed cups, and traversing them in the elevated state, will be made conspicuous later after the' stemming and splitting in. strumentalities have been described.

The stemming device The present machine has its order of operation as follows: First, after being placed in custody of the machine, the fruit is carried by the feed cups into engagement with a mechanism for severing the extreme end of the fruit bearing the stem. Being thus treated, the fruit is in a suitable condition for subsequent operations.

Reference to the Figures 1, 2 and 6 will be had conjointly in respect to the following description. Fixedly secured to the vertical shaft 86 and somewhat above the feed turret |55 is a narrow collar |80. Riding upon the collar in a manner free to pivot about the shaft 86 is a long sleevelike hub |8| depending from a compound lever |82. The counter parts |83 and |84 of the lever |82 are disposed at one hundred eighty degrees (see Figure 6). l

The end of the member |84 comprises a rectangular channeled block |85 slightly angular to the body of the lever. 'I'he channel |86 is conterminate with the major dimension of the block |85 and is formed in the lower face thereof. Communication from the top face of the block is had to the channel |86 through a rectangular aperture |81 centrally spaced in said face.

On either side of the channel |86, and on the lower face of theblock |85, are guide plates |88, secured in position by any suitable means as by cap screws and to project over the channel opening to partially enclose it. Carried upon the guide plates |88 in a manner to slide freely within the channel |86 is a cross head block |89. Anchored in the upper faceof the member |89 is a pin |90 providing a journal for a. roller bearing |9I, the latter being projected upwardly through the aperture |81.

A thin plate lug |92 is fastened to the forward end of the block |85 by means of a stud |93, and in a way to project over the end of the channel |86. Between the lug |92 and cross head |89 is inserted a compression spring |94, which spring constantly urges the cross head inwardly of the channel |86. 'Ihe inward movement is arrested by the roller |9| impinging a cantilever bar |95. In turn, the bar |95, which is contiguous to the upper face of the block |85, is limited in its movement, impelled by the roller bearing |9|, by an adjustable obstruction in the form of an eccentric disc |96. It is apparent that by shifting the angular position of the disc |96 relative to its anchorage |91 that the inward progression of the block |89 may be regulated.

Depending from the lower face of the cross head |89 is an angle boss |91a having a foot |98. There is fastened by any means, such as welding, or by cap screws, to the bottom of foot |98, a

sheet metal bracket |99. The bracket I 99 supports at its lower end a second piece of sheet material comprisingr a stop 200. The other and free end of the stop 200 is projected horizontally with the main body of said stop lying tangential to a circle generated about the turret shaft 86, and of radius to form a cusp therewith. At the heel of the foot |98 is anchored the shank of a flat arcuate blade 20| having a sharpened lower edge 202. Y

Projecting laterally from the side of the block |85 is an ear 203 having depending downwardly therefrom a bearing 204 possessing a vertical axis.

Within the bearing 204 is a shaft 205 operativelyv enjoined to the lever arm |95 by contraction of the split hub arrangement 206 at the end of said arm. Midway the ends of shaft 205 is an outwardly disposed deformation in horizontal alinement with the feed cups |64, so that no interference will be had by the shaft to fruit in said cup as it is conducted thereby. A second cantilever 201 is xedly fastened to the lower end of the shaft 205 at an elevation mutual to that of the roller bearings |15. The extended end of the lever 201 projects into the arcuate path traversed by said rollers |15 as carried by the turret |55.

The component member |83 of the compound lever |82 is operatively connected to the shaft |40 by a linkage comprising the link 208 and arm 209. The means operating the vertical shaft |40 retrogresses to the cam |25 as before described in its relation to the loading mechanism.

A second element of the stemming device is in the form of a stem 2|0 of polygon cross-section slidably mounted in a boss` 2II integral to the trapezoidal frame 84. The lower extremity of the stem 2|0 comprises an enlarged head 2I2. A plate 2I3 is secured to the bottom of the head 2 I 2, while a downwardly and inwardly curved nger 2I4 extends from the most forward facet of the head. The finger 2I4 is disposed in acircular vertical plane coinciding with that virtually containing the ball bearings I 691 A position of vertical registration with the station of estoppel of the feed cup. incident to elevation thereof, is assumed by the plate 2I3. A downward position of the stem 2|0 and assembly is tended to be maintained by a gravitational urge.

The stemming device operates in conjunction with the movement imparted to the feed cups by the cam II 6. Pears having been placed in the feed cups, with stem outermost, at any of the cup stopping stations, A, B, C, or D, the nextv intermittent movement of the turret will transport the pear and cup at station D to station E. Incident the shift of the feed turret, the roller bearing |15 depending from the wall of the block bearing the feed cup under observation, comes in contact with the side of cantilever 201 to turn the shaft 205 clockwise, thereby to force the cross head |89 outward through the agency of the lever |95 and the roller I9I, and against the urge of the spring |94.

Such outward displacement of the cross head |89 also carries the abutment plate 200 an'd the curved blade 20| therewith so that the fruit carried in the feed cup in transit to station E will not abut the plate 200. Just before the station E is reached, the roller bearing |15 passes off the end of the arm 201 to allow the plate 200 to be .pushed inwardly under the impingement of the spring I 94 against the end of the pear, thus forcing it inward against the back member |68 of the cup |64. In this manner the blade 20|, which is adjustable in its horizontal placement relative to the abutment plate 200, is measurably placed from the end of the pear to be severed.

Before, the feed cup under discussion 4had reached the station E, the ball bearing |69 thereon had been in support of the head 2I2 by means of the curved finger 2I4 resting thereon. However, as the cup was advanced, the block 2 I2 was lowered by the flnger 2|4 presenting its upwardly inclined lower surface to the ball |69. The downward movement of the block 2I2 under the force of gravity brings the plate 2I3 to rest upon the fruit within the cup. It is evident that as the fruit reaches the station E, it is firmly held within thecup by a downward pressure exerted by the plate 2I3, and an inward pressure provided by the abutment plate 200 to press the back of the pear against pedestal |68.

At this time, a counter-clockwise movement is imparted to the shaft |40 to move the compound lever |82 in a clockwise direction and consequently the circular cam II6 in a clockwise direction. The movement of the cam II6, as before described, elevates the feed cup.

Incident to the 'raising of the cup, the end of the pear therein is brought against the lower and sharpened edge of the arcuate blade 20 I which is being drawn by the turning of the lever |82, to sever the stem end from the pear. During the upward movement of the fruit, the stem 2 I 0 bearing the head 2I2 is pushed upward within the boss 2| I.

As soon as the severing operation is completed, the turret |55 is given a turn by the Geneva member 89 simultaneously with a like movement being imparted to the circular cam I I6 with the result that the feed cup is carried to station F in the elevated position. Before the fruit Was carried entirely from under the plate 2 I 3, the ball bearing |69 on the pedestal of the succeeding cup was carried beneath the extreme end of the downwardly 'curved finger 2 I4, to prevent the plate 2I3 from being lowered into the path of the fruit subsequently to be disposed at position E. The stemmed fruit arriving at station F in the elevated position is at the proper height to be received by the instrumentality for carrying such fruit inwardly of the machine preceding further operations upon such fruit.

Claims to the stemming or bobbing operation are set forth in my prior Patent No. 2,161,806, issued June-13, 1939.

The fruit conveying carriage Al frame for partially supporting the fruit conveying carriage comprises a trapezoidal structure 84 having a side 82 adjoining the ends of converging members 83. The base of the members 83 are secured to the uprights I0 and I3 near their top by means of bolts 2I5. A co-support for the conveying carriage is provided in a long sleeve 2I6 containing the central vertical shaft 2| 1 within the machine.

'I'he shaft 2 I 1 is free to rotate within said sleeve. Integral with the top of the sleeve 2I6 and extending forwardly therefrom is a ,compound boss 2I8 containing apertures 2I9 and 220 communicating to the front facet. In alinement with the apertures 2I9 and 220 are like apertures 22| and 222 in the frame member 82. Carried within these holes are parallel track members 223 and 224.

Av carriage for conveying the fruit inwardly of the machine slides upon the members` 223 and 224. Said carriage comprises on eithermember identical sleeves 225 and 226 (seeFigure Adjoining the sleeves 225 and 226 at their ends are cross pieces 221 and 228 forming the forward and backward ends of the carriage. Rotatively positioned on the sleeve 226 are similar collars 229 and 238 providing at their furthest removed ends and contiguous to the end pieces, circular shoulders 23| and 232. The arcuate edge of the shoulders 23| and 232 have gear teeth 233 and 234 cut therein.

Projecting downwardly from the left side of the collar 229 is a single bracket 235 from which depends, by means of studs 236, the stem 231 of the prodding fruit clamp 238. The lower portion of the clamp 238 embodies ascoop 239 exposing the concavity 248 to the right; the heel 24| of the scoop being to the side most forward of the machine.

To the left face of the collar 229 is anchored by standard means 243 an offset bracket 242. The bracket 242 contains an aperture 244. Loosely carried within the aperture 244 is an end of a hinged rod 245. The opposite end of the rod 245, pintled at 2,46, co-supports a shoe 241 having a longitudinal groove, which slidably engages the slider bar 248. Positive contact of the shoe 241 with the slider bar 248 is had by means of a compression spring 249. The opposite side of the bar 248 serves as a race for a roller bearing 258 rotatively seated on a shoulder face 25| at the top of sleeve 229, and journaled to a bolt 252 centrally placed in said face.

Opposed to the collar 229 and upon the carriage rod 223 is a component collar 253 having teeth 254 meshing with the teeth 233. Depending from the collar 253, by means of cap screws 254a, is a fruit clamp 255 which is symmetrical and complemental to the clamp 238.

The collar 238 is operatively engaged to the slider bar 248 in the same manner as is the collar 229. A bracket 258 projects from the left side of the collar 230, and contains an aperture to receive an end of the pintled bar 251 upon which is a compression spring 258 to impinge the back of the shoe 241. The opposite end of the pintled member is embedded in the shoe 241. A clamp 259 is suspended from the collar 238 in exactly the same manner as is the clamp 238 suspended from the collar 229.

The lower end of the clamp 259 comprises a curved jaw 288 with the center of curvature to the right of the member. Coacting with the clamp 259 is an opposed and identical clamp 26| with a jaw 262. A collar 263 rotatively mounted upon the sleeve 225 contiguous to the collar 253 provides a support for the clamp 26|, and is operatively engaged to the shoulder 232 by means of gear teeth 264.

In the front face of the compound boss 2|8, and mounted in a vertical position is a shouldered panel 265 containing a longitudinal slot 266. The slot 266 communicates from a groove 261 to the forward and outer face of the panel. A staff 268 bearing near its upper extremity a. perpendicular journal member 269 for a beveled roller bearing 218, is arranged for vertical reciprocation within the trackage co-formed by the groove 261 and an opposed groove in the boss 2|8. Projecting from the side of the reciprocating member 268 through the slot 268 is a pin 21|, the slot 266 being extensive to clear the limits of reciprocation of said pin.

It will be noted that the slider bar 248 is carried at the ends of two levers 212 and 213 by means of studs 214 and 215, both levers being non-rotatively mounted on opposite ends of the track member 224. The lever 213 which is inwardly of the machine, is compound and provides in the component part 216 a slot 211 (see Figure l). Within the slot 211'is a cross head 211a pivotally mounted upon the pin 21|.

Feathered to the vertical shaft 2|1 adjacently above the sleeve 2|8 is a circular camA 218 having a circumscribing camming groove 219 with an inclination 288 reaching an upper level at 28| to decline at 282. The beveled bearing 218 operates within the groove 219.

Figure 9 illustrates the lower end of the shaft 2|1 journaled in the bearing 51. Said shaft carries a gear wheel 283 below the cross member 55. The gear idler 284 operating upon a stud shaft shrunk into the bearing 51 serves to transmit the clockwise movement of the annular toothed shoulder to a. like movement of the gear 283 and the shaft 2|1.

The vfollowing linkage is employed to propel the carriage for conveying theY fruit from the feed cups. Near the right side of the front cross member 221 of the carriage is a threaded recess which receives the threaded stud shaft 285. Connecting the shaft' 285 to the bifurcated end of a compound lever 288 is an adjustable link 281. A vertical shaft 288 is disposed` within the angle of the upright frame member |8 to be ro tatively co-journaled by a bearing 289 provided within the shank of the bracket 298 bolted to the upright I8, and the bearing 15.

Vertical displacement of the shaft 288 due to the force of gravity is prevented by the attachment of the lever 288 thereto at the upper end to pivotally bear against the upper face of the bearing 289. An integral offset hub 29| measurably spaces the lever 286 above the bracket support.

Reference to Figures 2, 3 and 9 will be had to clearly illustrate the transmission of locomotion to the vertical shaft 288. Keyed to the cam shaft 52 is a plate cam indicated by the numeral 292. In the left face of the cam 292 is an irregular eccentric groove 293 circumscribing the bearing for the shaft 52. Contiguously held to the left face of the cam 292 by means of a collar 294 upon the cam shaft is a cam follower 295 having a horizontal slot circumjacent said cam shaft. Said follower supports near the front end of the slot a roller bearing 296 operatively contained by the groove 293.

A guide bracket 291, providing a transverse groove 298 in its lower facet, is held to the right side of the cross member 55 by means of bolts 299. 'I'he forward and top side of the cam follower 295 tracks within the groove 298 as a guide while it is reciprocated by the cam 292.

From the forward and right side of the cam follower 295 projects an ear 388 drilled and tapped to receive in a vertical manner a bolt 38|. A link 382 -is held above the head of the bolt 38| and under the ear 388 in a changeable angular position to present a wrist pin 383 in the extended end thereof in registry with a slot 384 near the end of a cantilever 985. the latter being fixedly attached to the lower end of the shaft 288. Operation of the fruit conducting carriage is had conjointly with the linkage terminating at the cam |25, and with the slider bar 248, the latter being operatively connected to the circular cam 218. In the operation of conveying the fruit from a. feed cup at station F the carriage is delivered to its foremost position upon the rods 223 and 224 with the appendages 231, 259. 255,

and 26| in a spread position as illustrated in Figure 5.

At this time, the slider bar 248 is moved up'- wardly and radially with the rod 224 due to the force imparted to the lever 213. It will be recalled that the vertical operating shaft 2I1, during the operation of the machine, is rotated in a clockwise direction. Therefore, as the carriage is in the forward position with its clamps hovering about the fruit in the feed cup, the circular cam 218 is brought to the position presenting the starting point of the inclination 280 adjacent the roller bearing 210. Continued movement of the circular caml shifts the inclination 280 beneath the roller bearing, to elevate it.

When the fruit has been clasped within the fruit carriage clamps, a subsequent movement o-f the circular cam IIS of the feed turret mechanism in a clockwise direction as heretofore described lowers the feed cup at position F. Concurrently, the cam follower 295 is moved to the rear by the plate cam 292 to impart motion to the linkage there inter-connecting and the forward cross member of the carriage, to move said carriage inwardly the machine.

The upper plane 28| of the groove in circular cam 218 is of some extent and sufficient to maintain the staff 268 in the upright position and hence the slider bar 248 in its downward position all the while that the carriage is being moved inwardly of the machine. The inward movement of the carriage is great enough to convey the pear beyond the edge 3I9 of a bitr,3|1 of the splitting device later to be described. It will be noted that the heels 24| of the scoops configuring the lower ends of the fruit clamps 231 and .255 are behind the larger end of the pear and serve to prod it inward against the slight resistance offered by the cutting edge of the bit 3I1.

The fruit before being fed to the machine is graded to a standard size. However, even in graded fruit there are slight variations as to size. Therefore, the fruit clamps of the fruit conducting carriage are closed in a semi-positive manner. the pear any great pressure thereon is prohibited -by the springs 249 and 258.

A continued arcuate movement of the slider bar 248 after the fruit clamps have been stopped by coming in contact with the fruit, will carry its surface contiguous the roller bearing 250 therefrom, and simultaneously press the shoe 241 to the left thereby buckling the bar 245 at its pintled section 246, and forcing the end of the rod 245 through the aperture 244 against the urge of the springs 258 and 249. displaced.

Claims to the loading mechanism are set forth in my application Serial No. 621,914, filedJuly The splitting mechanism Anterior to being peeled by the machine, the

fruit is split in half longitudinally of its core. Each portion of the pear sohalved then has its epidermis removed by different parts of a coordinating instrumentality. Incidentally,l division of the fruit in this conventional manner forv As the fruit clamps come in contact with The rod 251 is similarly of the sleeve 2I3. Transgressing the boss 3II from left to right is a deep channel 3I2, opening to the top and the two said sidesof the block. Costationed rotatively within the juxtaposed bearings 3|3 communicating from the entrenchment 3I2 to the forward face of the boss 3II and aligned recesses 3I4 in the rear wall of said entrenchment, are stems 3| 5 projecting perpendicularly from the hinged members 3I6.

Inlaid in the right face of the left member 3I6 is a bit 3| 1 to extend forward in contiguous parallelism to a congruitous leaf 3I8 extending forwardly from the opposed face of the right member. The bit 3I1 presents at its forward end a keen cutting edge 3| 9 with the shoulders 320 receding .therefrom at a very acute angle. On the outer sides of the bit 3I1 and the complemental leaf 3I8 are horizontal embossments 32| and 322 respectively. 'I'hese ridges 32| and 322 are for the purpose of preventing a vacuum occurring between the respective faces bearing the ridges and the flat side of a halved pear, as will be explained more detailedly later.

Upon the sections of the pintle members 3I5 confined within the channel 3I2 are keyed segmental pinions 323 which engage the racks 324 and 325. The pinion 323 to the left engages the rack 325 that extends downwardly through a guide slot 326 within the boss 3II and below said boss. The other rack 324 operates in a similar slot 321 on the opposite side of the boss 3II and extends therebelow where a cross piece 328 enjoins the two racks by means 329 to hold them in fixed assembly. A vertical shaft 330 somewhat offset from the rack 325 projects upwardly through a guide provided in the compound boss 2I8. The upper end of the shaft 330 carries upon a stem normal thereto a truncated roller bearing 33|.

Between the central crown bearing 24 rotatively containing the end of the vertical drive shaft 2I1 and the circular cam 218, is a circular cam 332 not unlike the cam 218. The cam 332 presents a circumscribing groove 333 having a lower level 334 and an inclined section 335 leading upwardly from the lower level to a higher plane 336. In chronological order and following the higher plane 336 is a declination 331 leading to the lower plane 335. This circular cam 332 is xedly attached to the -shaft 2I1.

Noting that the shaft 2I1 rotates in a clockwise direction, it will be seen that the fruit clamps of the fruit carriage will be spread to release the fruit after having carried such fruit beyond the edge of the bit 3I1 anterior to the spreading of the parts 32| and 322 bythe operation of the roller bearing 33| within the declined section 331 of the groove 333. Thus, the fruit clamps are cleared of the fruit and 'nothing impedes the outward displacement of the two halved portions of the fruit by the hinged members 32| and 322 to deliver said halved portions to the fruit cups below. y

Claims to the splitting mechanism yare set forth in my application Serial No. 201,838, filed April 13, 1938.

v The fruit turret cumjacent tothe shaft 2|1 and extends downwardly to pivotally rest upon the cross member 55 about the bearing 69. Freedom of movement of the shaft 2|1 within the sleeve 342 is provided.

Reference to Figures 5 and 6 will be had to render a more detailed depiction of the turret. Quadrantly spaced about the edge of the turret 340 are spaced apart fruit holding means preferably in the form of fruit cups 345 arranged in pairs. jAn intermittent motion is imparted to the turret turning it ninety degrees during each movement and positively stopping the turret with the pairs of fruit cups at the stations W, X, Y, and Z. e

Each of the eight corners of the feed turret 340 presents a vertical bearing 346. Within the bearings 346, which-are rectangular in cross section, are shafts 341 of congruent cross section arranged for vertical reciprocation within the bearings. The innermost edge of the shafts or bars 341 has a notch 348. Mounted upon the top of the stems 341 is a half 349 of a fruit cup having a lug 350 extending downwardly along the side of the stem 341. A stud bolt 35| passing through the lug 350 and into the stem 341 insures the position of this fixed half cup. The concavity in the upper face of the cup is such as to conform to the skin-bearing surface of a half section of a pear having its endof lesser diametric cross section inward the machine.

Opposed to the half cup 349 is a 'complemental cup segment352 bearing a concavity identical to that of the section of the cup designated by the numeral 349.

Shallow grooves 345a are cut in the cup walls in a manner having their center of. curvature coincident with the axis of generation of said Walls. The grooves are bounded by vertical sides 345b (see Figure 11) Downward pressure on the fruit concurrent to peeling, forces that portion of the peel over the corrugations 345m into the grooves to result in less frictional impedance to the passing of the paring knife and. thus relieve the knife of distortional strain. The subject matter just described isnot claimed herein but is claimed in applicants co-pending application Serial No. 627,549, filed August 5, 1932.

The movable cup segmentI 352 has depending from the inner and outermost ends two abutments 353 and 354. These abutments t closely upon the two sides of the stem 341 and contain apertures on a mutual axis which coincide with recesses in the adjacent sides of the reciprocating.member 341 to co-receive bolts 355 and 356 about which the movable segment is free to oscillate. downwardly from the cup segment 352 in a manner somewhat offset from the broad face of the staff 341.

The lower end of the appendage 351 has a threaded aperture into whichis screwed a bolt 350, the latter being screwed inwardly until its threaded end abuts the staff 341. The center of gravity of the cup member 352 is such that it tends to rotate about the bolts 355 and 356 to keep the cup members slightly apart. Since the bolt 358 is below the linked section of the movable cup part 352 a continued screwing of. said bolt after the end has come in contact with the reciprocating member 341 will rotate the cup section in a. manner to brirg it adjacent to the stationary cup member.

A lock nut 359 may be placed upon the bolt 358 in order to hold the bolt in place once it has been set to hold the fruit cup 345 in its desired A second depending member 351 projectsadjustment. Projecting outwardly from the side of the abutment 354 is a stop 360. It'will be noted that a displacement of a pin 360 to the right, Figure 2, will pivot the cup member 352 in a manner to close the cup 345.

The intermittent motion before referred to is transmitted to the turret by means of. a Geneva cam 36| feathered to the lower end of the sleeve 342. The cam 36| is in the form of a plate having alternately spaced about its periphery four slots 362 and four arcuate sections 363. At either edge of a slot 362 and as-figures of. demarcation intermediate the arcuate sections 363 and slots 362 are points 364. Keyed to the shaft |08 in a plane just below that described by the Geneva cam 36| is a circular plate 365.

From one edge of the plate 365 projects a section 366 having a peripheral edge 361 generated about the axis contained within the shaft |08. Upon the plate 365 lies flatly a circular cam plate 368 within the plane common to the Geneva cam 36|. Removed from the plate 368 is a portion leaving a concave curved edge 369. At the intersection of the curved edge 369 and the circular edge 310 of the cam 368 are shoulders 31| and 312. A slot 313 within the projection 366 has a greater dimension radially of, the plate 365 and carries a stud 314, upon which is a roller bearing 315. Cooperation of the roller 315 and the cam plate 368 with the irregularities 362 and 363 of the cam 36| is had in the exact manner as previously described in the operation of the Geneva movement of the feed turret. Here, however, since there are but four slots about the cam 36|, the cam is turned ninety degrees during each impulse.

In this manner intermittent motion is given indirectly by virtue of the sleeve 342 to the fruit turret, which allows the fruit cups to stay in one of the positions W, X, Y, or Z for a short period of time prior to a subsequent ninety-degree shift of position.

A circular plate 365a having a flange 365b and a groove 365e is about the shaft |08 above the cam 368. The plate 365a is held stationary by a strap brace extending between the frame members and I2. The groove 365e is of such a contour as to properly guide the stub shaft 314 and the roller 315 into and out of the grooves 362 by sliding the shaft 314 in the slot 313. A roller (not shown) upon the shaft 314 above the roller 315 operates within the groove 365e.

In the right face of". the cam 292 is an eccentric groove 316 circumscribing the hole in said cam containing the cam shaft 52. Placed flatly against the right face of the cam 292 is a, cam follower 311 having a slot 318 therein of vertical extent to contain', the cam shaft 52 and allow vertical displacement of the cam follower 311. Extending normally and to the left of the face of the cam follower 311 and contiguous to the cam 292 is a short stem V319 carrying the roller 318a, the latter projecting into the groove 316.

The cam follower 311 extends upwardly. From the upwardly extended portions depends in a horizontal plane an arm 380. Carried toward the forward end of the arm are two vertically disposed posts 38|, and spaced at an interval equal to that interval between the pairs of stems supporting the fruit cups. The posts 38| are held in place in a manner adjustable as to vertical position by means of nuts 382. Said posts project upwardly through apertures 383 provided in the hood section 304.

Suitably secured to the tops of the posts 38| is a cross piece 385 to project outward therefrom in the manner illustrated in Figure 3. The posts 38| are adjusted to a height to present the cross bar 385 in the same horizontal plane as the slots 348 within the stems 341 of the fruit cups when said stems 341 are in a lowered position.

The posts 38| are at station W and as the turret carries a pair of fruit cups to this station the cam 292 lifts the cam follower 311 to thereby raise the horizontal arm 380 and the posts 38| thereon to elevate the fruit cups by the engagement of the cross piece 385 with the slots 348 provided within-the staffs 341. In this manner the fruit that was deposited within-thecups at station Z is elevated with the cups to bring the flat face of the halved fruit in contact with the fruit pads 448. later to be described.

The fruit cup closing mechanism To the left sides of the uprights I0 and at an elevation equal tothat of the fruit turret are brackets 388. Loosely held between the brackets 388 and their respective upright members is a bar 389. The bar 389 is adapted to horizontal reciprocation within its supports. To the left side of the upright I0 is a hook 390, and on the same side of the bar 389 is a pin 39 I. Between the pin 39| and the hook 390 is expanded a contraction spring 392, which holds the bar 389 in a forward position limited by the bifurcated end of the compound lever 393' bearing against the bolt 394.

0n either side of the bolt 394 and attached to the right side of the bar.389, are similar angular lever arms 395. Said levers 395 are fixedly held in a given angular position as obtained by the adjustment of the lock nut and screw arrangement 396. Bolts 391 at the angle of the levers press the side of said levers rmly against the side of the bar 389. It will be noted that the upright components 398 of the levers 395 are spaced at an interval equal to that interval between the pairs of the fruit cups in the feed turret, and that said components are in the same vertical plane as the pins 360 projecting to the left of the movable element of the fruit cups.

Depending from the right central edge of the hood 384, which is co-supported by the four corner uprights of the machine, is an inverted standard 399 providing at its lower extremity a horizontal bearing 600 (see Figure 10).

Within the bearing 600 is a short fulcrate member 60| having 4pinned to opposite ends the upper and lower parts 602 and 603* respectively of the compound lever 393. The lower end of the member 603 is forked and carries between the opposed parts of the fork a roller bearing 604 upon the axle 605. 'Ihe circular plate cam 292 has upon its periphery a curved strip 606 which is thick in its central body and diminishes in thickness near its ends. The roller bearing 604 is presented to the periphery of the cam 292 to roll thereon, and is kept in a fixed horizontal position until the strip 606 is blocked thereagainst to bring about a displacement to rotate the compound lever 393 about the pivot 60|. As soon as the curved strip 606 has passed beneath the roller 604, the horizontal bar 389 is returned to its forward position by the spring 392.

The purpose of displacing the bar 389 in the manner just described is to bring the upright members 398 against the pins 360 and to close the cups 345. 'Ihe closing operation is had concurrently with the peeling movement of the paring blade 435, and coacts with the peeling pad 448 to firmly grasp the halved fruit and secure it-against rotationdue to the force of the blade as it passes therethrough. 1

Adjustment for different sized fruit may be had by a manipulation of the screws 369a. It will be noted that if screws 369a are turned in a manner that they will be lowered the upper part 398 will be in a more forward position so that the pins 360 will not be moved so far with the result that the fruit cups will not be so nearly closed. Hence, by such an adjustment, a larger fruit may be handled in the cups without pinching or bruislng the same. It will be noted that the lever components 398 are lengthy and extend upwardly so that they will engage the pins 360 when the fruit cups are in the elevated position incident to the peeling operation.

The peeling mechanism Directly over the station W of the fruit turret is mounted an instrumentality for performing the peeling operation upon the fruit when it is brought in engagement .therewith by the elevation of the fruit cups at that station. A trisupport for such peeling mechanism is provided by brackets 290 and 400 which are secured to the uprights I0 and respectively, and an apertured lug 40| projecting from the rear side of the sleeve 2 I6.

Frame members 402 and 403 are identical, and

are conjoined by aligned journal members 404 and 405. Lugs 406 are provided near the right ends of the frame members 402 and 403 for attaching the bracketsv 290 and 400 by means of bolts 401. The left end of the frame member 402 abuts against the side of lug 40| to present a threaded hole therein in registry with the aperture of said lug to receive with said aperture a stud 408.

The right and outermost end of the members 402 and 403 configures a transverse channel 409. The outer and inner walls of the channel 409 contain aligned bearings 4|0 and 4|I, respectively. The inner wall extends upwardly to have seated thereon an end of the journaled member 405. f

Further inwardly in the top face of the frame members 402 and 403 is a second pair of transversely aligned channels 4|3. Positioned inwardly of the channels 4|3 are bosses 4|4 having a smooth top end 4|5 and a central vertical hole 4|6 conterminate with the vertical dimension of of the boss. A Z bracket 4| 1 is firmly held to the top face of each member 402 and 403 by means of a stud 4|8. 'Ihe horizontally disposed section 4|9 of the bracket 4|1 provides an aperture 420, the axis of the latter coinciding with that of the hole 4|6. To the top of the Wall 42| comprising a side of the channel 422 the bearing member 404 is positioned by means of cap screws 423.

The walls 424 comprising the left end of the oddly shaped frame members 402 and 403 form a side of the entrenchment 422. Bearings 425 and 426 are within the walls 42| and 424 on a mutual axis.

. A short shaft 421 is rotatively disposed within the bearings 4|0 and 4I I', and has keyed thereto within the entrenchment 409 a. small gear wheel 428. The inner end of the shaft 421 has firmly fastened thereto a collar 429 having an angularly terminated lug 430. A shaft 43| Within bearings 425 and 426 bears a pinion 432 between the walls 42| and 424, and is adapted to turn about an axis common to shaft 421. Opposed to the collar 429 andjupon the end of shaft 43| is an identical 75 collar 433 which bears a similar lug 434. -Supported by the collars 423 and 433, and the lugs 438 andV 434, is a paring blade 435, configuring the longitudinal contour of a pear. v

Confined for rotation within the journals 484 and 485 is a shaft 436. To the inner-end of the shaft 436 is xedly attached a segmental gear 431,

vwhich engages its tooth bearing periphery with the gears 432. The opposite end of the shaft 436 has keyed thereto a segmental gear 436, the latter meshing its arcuate tooth-bearing section 439 with the pinions 428. .An arm 448 extends radially from the hub 44| of the gear 438 to be operatively engaged to an adjustable link 442 by means of ya slot 443, and a pin 444 passing through said slot into an end of said link.

It will be observed that the opposite end of the link 442 has a socket 445 into which is inserted a ball 446 upon a post 441 to complete a ball and socket joinder between the link and the right end of the compound lever 286. The intermittent oscillating movement of the vertical shaft 288, as before described, is transmitted through the agency of the link 442 to the segmental gear 438, thence by way of the shaft 436 to the complemental segmental gear 431.

Thus, the short shafts 421 and 43| are operated independently so that torque is applied at both ends of the blades 435. The angle of oscillation imparted to the segmental gears is such that a blade 435 is -rotated from a horizontal position at one extremity of oscillation, downwardly and through more than one hundred eighty degrees to slightly above the opposed horizontal position. The sharpened edge of the blades 435 is presented downward when they are in the most forward horizontal position or when the segmental gears 431 and 438 are at the most counterclockwise position of their oscillating arc as viewed from the outward side.

While the blades 435 are in the horizontal position to the front and ready to make a subsequent cutting movement, the fruit cups which have arrived at the station W are elevated by the posts 33| in the manner previously described, to bring the iiat severed surface of the halved fruit upward impinginly against means for contacting the fiat or cut face of the half fruit adapted to prevent turning or shifting of the half fruit in the fruit holding means during the cutting operation. In the present disclosure this means is specically shown as fruit contacting devices, preferably in the form of pad-like elements 448, adapted to contact the flat face ofthe half fruit preferablywhile the peeling movement of the blades is enacted. The blades 435 pass through the fruit Just under the epidennis which remains in the cup until removed by the instrumentality at the subsequent station Y.

'Ihe mechanism in connection with the pads 443 whose object it is to hold the halved fruit in the fruit cups against turning with the paring blade, will now be described.

Within the vertical hole 4|6 in the boss 4|4 is a hollow stem 448 provided with an enlarged head 458 at the bottom thereof. The hollow 45| within the stem 448 is coextensive with the stern and the head 458, but is of decreased diameter above -the inverted shoulder 452. After the stem 448 has been inserted within the hole 4I8 from the bottom, a collar 453 and a nut 454 are respectively shrunk and screwed upon the upper threaded end of said stem. The stem 443 is constantly held in a downward position, as is limited by the collar 453, by a compression spring 455 exerting a force between the horizontal section 4 I8 of the bracket 4|1 and the nut 454. 'I'he tensionof the spring 455, and hence the amount of its downward urge. may be regulated by shifting the position of the nut 454 relative to the collar 453. For instance, turning the nut 454 in a manner to raise it will result in a greater compression of the spring 455 and 'a proportional increase in its expansive effort.

To the left of the hollow 45| within the head 458, said head contains a recess 456 enclosed by opposed walls 551. Within the walls 451 are aligned apertures 458 providing bearings for a pintled member 459 which carries intermediate the walls 451 a lug 468 integral to the top face of the pad 448. Protruding to the left of the top of the inverted recess 456 is a tongue 46| having a short lug 462 projecting downwardly therefrom.

Between the lugs 462 and 463 is a short compression spring 464, Extending upwardly through the hollow 45| is a stem 465 having at its lower .end a small knock-out pad 466. Said pad 466 is of proper dimensions to seat within the recess 461 congruent thereto and in the fruit pad 448. When there is no pressure exerted upward upon the small knock-out pad 466, the stem 465 is held in a downward'position as illustrated in Figure '1 by the effort of a small compression spring 468 seated against the shoulder 452 and pressing against a pin 469, the latter extending through the stem 465.

Further downward displacement of the stem 465 and the pad 466 is overcome by a transverse pin 418 abrupting the top of the bracket 4|1.

Slidably seated within the entrenchments 4|3 of the two frame members 482 and 483 is a bar 41| substantially square in cross-section. Reference to Figure 8 discloses a transverse slot 412 within the bar 41| midway its two ends. Upon the top face of the bar 41| are two identical pad locking members 412 having horizontally disposed jaws 414 and flanges 415 in parallelism to said jaws to serve as a ineans for anchoring said members with the aid of set screws 416. Extending over the channel in the frame member 483 is a small plate 411 held in place by a stud 418. Also transversing the frame member 483 in an aperture 419'is a pin 488 threaded upon its forward end to receive nuts 48| The rearmost end of the pin contains a small hole 482. To the back of the entrenchment 412 is a screw 483 holding beneath its head one end'of a contraction spring 484 the other end of which spring is hooked within the hole 482.

'I'he action of the spring 484 is to provide a constant forward pull upon the bar 41| thus tending to keep lthe bar in a position as is limited by the plate 411 engaging the base 415 of the forward padlocking or holding means 413. When the bar 41| is in the most forward position' the jaws 414 of the padlocking or holding means engage a groove 485 within the collars 453, thus preventing any upward movement of the fruit pads 448 as would otherwise be possible by compressing the spring 455.

The shaft 436 contains a peg 484a which projects radially therefrom. Normally the peg exerts a pressure upon the rearward wall of the notch 412, and prevents a forward movement of the bar 41| so that the jaws 414 may not engage the grooves 485. However, the clockwise rotation of the shaft 436 near the end of that movement frees the pin 484a from the notch wall to permit the spring 484 to urge the jaws 414 into It will thus be seen that I have provided a plu- 'rality of relatively movable means which are adapted yieldingly to hold the fruit therebe- 15 tween during the cutting operation, and that I have provided additional means for preventing the relative yielding movement between the holding means during at least a portion of the cutting movement, specifically the finish of the cut- 20 ting movement, so as to provide a clean cutting ot the fruit. Specifically, by holding the pad positively .against yielding movement during the time that the peeling blade is moving upwardly, I provide means for retaining the fruit in its level 25 seated position within the cup. I have found that A in instances where the fruit is exceptionally rm, tending to hardness, as in the case of partially unripe fruit, if the holding means were not positively held the resistance of the spring for holding 80 the pad against the fruit tends to be overcome by the upward pressure of the blade, which permits the fruit to tiltl slightly in the cup. This tilting or skewing of the fruit within the cup lets the edge of the severed face at which the knife I emerges from the fruit to be raised above the cup wall. Sometimes, if this should occur, the knife would not make a clean cut at its point of emergence. In short, the upper edge of the fruit would not be backed by the cup wall and a small 40 corner of the fruit might be torn loose instead of being cut cleanly. Therefore, in order to prevent this, I lock the pad or hold it against displacement during the upward sweep or movement| of the knife. Excepting at the time the knife is making such upward cut, the action of the spring alone has been found suflicient to Imaintain the proper position of the fruit, and. therefore, it is preferred that during this time the fruit be yieldingly held. The device herein 50 set forth, therefore, is arranged for positively holding the fruit only during the lrelatively short interval of time when it is necessary. At other times the fruit is yieldingly held within the cup between the resilient pad and the cup members, 55 which, as before stated, are moved upwardly with the pear therein to contact the yieldable pad. This construction permits slight variations for the slightly variant sized fruit, and likewise prevents the pressing of the fruit too firmly between w `the movable holding means.

It is understood that various types and forms of relatively movable holding means for holding fruit therebetween, and particularly for holding half fruit therebetween, are within the contem- 65 plation of my invention; that the invention is not confined specifically to the holding means shown,.nor to the exact type of cutting means or peeling means shown, as any type of holding and cutting means may be contemplated within 70 the s'cope of the appended claims.

Subsequently, as the peeled fruit is lowered by the fruit cup as actuated by the cam 292, the small knock-out pad 466 presses the fruit away from the face of the pad 448. If it were not for 75 the small knock-out pad 466 the vacuum created between the ilat face of the fruit land the fruit pad, combined with the viscous nature of the fruit juice, would cause the fruit to adhere to the fruit pad. The spring 468 urging the knock-out pad downwardly at all times is of a strength sufcient to knock the fruit from the fruit pad, but not of a stiffness to injure the fruit when said fruit displaces it into the seat 461 incident to being pressed against the fruit pad.

Subject matter not claimed herein is claimed in other of my pending applications.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a fruit treating apparatus, peeling mechanism comprising a pad, a fruit holding cup, a 15 support for said pad, said pad being movable relatively to said cup, yielding means upon said support for urging 'said pad toward said cup, a peeling blade having an axis of rotation substantially within and in parallelism with the plane of said pad, means for rotating said peeling blade to remove the peeling from a fruit in said cup, and means for locking said pad against the fruit in said cup in the position occupied by said pad in respect to said cup under the urge of said yielding means and operating in synchronism with the movement of said blade.

2. `A fruit ypeeling apparatus comprising a frame, a cup, a curved blade movable'through said cup, aligned members journaled-:in said frame and engaging the end of said blade-.means for oscillating said journaled members, a peeling pad reciprocally supported intermediate said journaled members, means for yieldingly urging said pad in one direction, and locking means to flxedly hold said peeling pad in the position to which advanced by said urging means incident to movement of the blade to a predetermined position.

3. Half fruit treating apparatus comprising o relatively movable opposed members for holding a fruit, one of said members being shaped to contact the cut face of the half fruit, a knife movable in a path between said opposed members, one of said holding members having a yielding sup- 5 port means, and means for locking said yieldably supported holding member against yielding during a part only of the movement of said knife.

4. Half fruit treating apparatus comprising a cup having an open top adapted to hold a half fruit, a pad to close such open top and to contact the cut face of the half fruit, a knife movable in a path between said cup and pad, a yieldable support for said pad, means providing relative movement between the cup and the pad, the position of the pad relative to the cup being determined by the size of a fruit in said cup, and means for locking the pad against movement after the pad engages a fruit in said cup.

5. Fruit treating apparatus comprising a fruit w receptacle, a pad over said receptacle, a yielding support means for said pad, a blade rotatable on an axis in the plane of said pad, actuating means for said blade, means changing the relative position of said receptacle and of said pad to hold 5 fruit therebetween, means effective as said blade moves in the direction of'said pad for locking said pad against movement, and means preventing adhesion between said fruit and said pad.

6. .Fruit treating apparatus comprising a fruit receptacle, a pad over said receptacle, yielding support means for said pad,.a blade rotatable about said pad, actuating means for said blade, means changing the relative position of said pad and of said receptacle to hold fruit therebetween u lli lill

lil

during rotation of said blade, and means eective as said blade moves 'in the direction of said pad i'or locking said pad against movement.

'7.' Ina fruit treating device, a vcup for a half fruit, a pad depending over said cup, a yielding support for said pad, means for bringing said pad and cup together to yieldingly hold a fruit therebetween, a knife movable from one side of said pad to the other side thereof, and means operable during a part of the movement of said knife for locking said cup and padin the spaced relationship .occupied by said members in respect to a fruit therebetween.

8. In combination, a cup, a pad having a plane face, means for relatively moving the cup and pad toward one another about a half fruit, means for compensating Yim' differences in the sizes of successive fruits and determining `the spaced apart position of said cup and pad, means locking the cup and pad upon a fruit in a compensated position, and a knife having an axis parallel to the plane of said padffor operating on the fruit while said pad and said cup are in locked position.

9. Fruit treating apparatus comprising relatively movable i'ruit holding means for holding a half fruit therebetween, one of said means adapted to embrace the convex portion of the half fruit and the other adapted to engage the cut face of the half fruit, means for cutting the half fruit while so held, said fruit holding means including instrumentalities permitting a relative movement between said holding means during a portion of the cutting operation, and means for preventing relative movement between said holding means during a predetermined cutting movement of the cutting means.

10. Fruit treating apparatus comprising relatively movable members for holding a half fruit, cutting means movable to cut said half fruit while so held, one of said members engaging the cut face of the half fruit and being yieldable, and means for locking said yieldable member against movement during cutting movement ofv the cutting means.

11. Fruit treating apparatus comprising relatively movable members for holding a half fruit therebetween, one of said members yieldably engaging the cut face of the half fruit, cutting means movable to cut the half fruit so held, and means for preventing yielding movement of the member engaging the cut face of the fruit during cutting movement of the cutting means as said cutting means moves in a direction to emerge from the body of the half fruit.

l2. Fruit treating apparatus comprising rela-e tively movable members for holding a half fruit, peeling means movable to pare the half fruit so held, means providing relative yielding movement between said members, and means preventing said relative yielding movement during cutting movement of the peeling means.

13. Fruit treating apparatus comprising relatively movable members for holding a half fruit therebetween,.cutting means movable to cut the -half fruit so held, means providing a relative yielding movement between said members during a portion of the movement of said cutting means, and for preventing such relative yielding movement during another portion of the cutting movement of said cutting means.

14:.V Fruit treating apparatus comprising means for supporting the curved portions of a half fruit, yieldable means relatively movable to said firstmentioned supporting means for contacting the ilat face of the fruit, cutting means movable within the plane of the contacting means, and means for preventing the yielding of -said yieldable means during a portion of the cutting movement of the cutting means.

15. In a fruit treating apparatus, the combination of opposed members for holding a halt fruit therebetween, one of said members engaging the flat face of a'halffruit, cutting means movable in reverse directions through said half fruit to cut the same while so held, means for' yieldingly mounting the one of said holding' `means that engages the flat face of the half fruit, means for preventing yielding movement of said yieldingly mounted holding means during at least a portion oi the movement of the cutting means.

16. In an automatic device for peeling half fruit, the combination of a substantially cupshaped holder adapted to hold a half fruit with its cut face exposed, cooperative fruit holding means having a surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the cut face of the fruit, a peeling knife adapted to move in a predetermined path adjacent the inside wall of the cup to peel thefruit while so held, means for actuating the peeling knife, a yielding mounting for said cooperative holding means, and means for automatically locking the yielding mounting against yielding during a predetermined portion of the path of movement of the cutting means. and means for thereafter releasing the locking means upon the l,termination of said predetermined movement of saidcutting means.

17. In a fruit treating apparatus the combination of means providing a plurality of spaced apart fruit holders each adapted to hold a half fruit with its cut face exposed, means for moving the holders, a peeling knife, means actuated in synchronism with the movement of the fruit holding means for operating said peeling knife to cause the peeling knife to peel the fruit while held in the fruit holding means, means adapted to contact the cut face of the fruit during the .peeling operation to prevent tilting of the fruit during such peeling, means adapted to prevent relative movement between the fruit holding means and said contacting means during a portion of the movement of the cutting means, and means adapted to permit relative movement therebetween during another portion of the movement of the cutting means.

18. In an automatic machine for treating fruit, the combination of means providing a plurality of spaced apart substantially cup-shaped holders for holding a half fruit with its cut face exposed, cutting means adapted to move in an arcuate path through the fruit while so held, means operating in synchronized relation with the movement of the holding means for actuating the cutting means, and cooperative fruit holding means adapted to contact the fruit at its exposed face for preventing turning of the fruit during the cutting operation, means for providing a yield-v ing movement of said contacting means during the movement of the cutting means in a direction away from the contacting means, means for holding the contacting means from yieldingl chronized relation with predetermined movements `of the cutting means.

19. Fruit treating apparatus comprising means for holding a half fruit, arcuate cutting means, means for causing the cutting means to enter the fruit from its cut face and to emerge from the cut face of the half fruit, fruit contacting means adapted to engage the cut'face of the half fruit during the cutting thereof, means for mounting the last named holding means whereby the latter yields during a portion of the cutting movement of the cutting means, and means for holding the last named holding means from movement during another portion of the movement of the cutting means.

20. In a half fruit treating apparatus, means engaging the convex portions of a halt fruit to hold it, a fruit cutting mechanism comprising means adapted to contact the flat or cut face of a half fruit on opposite sides of the center zone thereof while held by said rst means, said contacting means being movable relatively to said first holding means, yielding means for urging said contacting means toward said iirst mentioned holding means, cutting means turning about an axis substantially within and substantially parallel with the plane of contact of said contacting means with the face of the half fruit, means for actuating the cutting means to form a continuousy arcuate cut extending through the iiesh of the fruit, said cut terminating at both ends at the cut face of the fruit, and means for holding the contacting means against the cut face of the fruit in the position occupied by said contacting means in respect to said first holding means under the urge of said yielding means and operating in synchronism with the movement of the cutting means.

21. Fruit treating apparatus comprising means for holding a half fruit by contacting with the convex portion of the fruit, cutting means movable in an arcuate path through the body of th half fruit, yieldably mounted means having surfaces adapted to contact the ilat cut face of the half fruit for restraining the half fruit from shifting movement relative to the holding means, and means for maintaining said yieldably mounted means from yielding during at least a portion of the movement of the cutting means.

22. In an apparatus for cutting half fruit, the combination of holding means for engaging the convex surfaces of a half fruit, cutting means movable from the cut face of the fruit inwardly of the fruitnd thence outwardly of the fruit, holding means adapted to contact the cut face of the half fruit during the cutting action, means for yieldingly mounting the latter holding means during inward movement of the cutting means and for rigidly mounting the latter during outward movement of the cutting means.

23. An apparatus for cutting half fruit comprising relatively movable holding members adapted to contact the convex portions of a half fruit, means providing relative yielding between said members to receive therebetween variant sized halves of fruit, means for rigidly holding said members from relative movement after receiving the half fruit therebetween, auxiliary fruit holding members adapted to contact the cut face of the half fruit while held by said rst holding members, mechanism providing relative yielding movement between said first holding members and said auxiliary holding members to receive variant sizes of half fruit therebetween, cutting means movable through the body of the fruit While held between said iirst and auxiliary holding members, and instrumentalities for holding said flrst and auxiliary holding members from relative movement during at least a portion of the cutting.

24. The combination of means for holding a half fruit including a plurality of complemental fruit holding members adapted to engage the cut face of the half fruit, means for moving said members successively into contact with the cut face of the half fruit, said members and said means permitting said-members to contact the fruit in acommon plane, cutting means adapted to cut into the cut face of said fruit while said fruit is held by said complemental members, and means for locking one of said fruit holding members from movement during a predetermined portion of the movement of the cutting means.

25. In combination, fruit holding means adapted to engage curved surfaces of a half fruit to hold the same, relatively movable complemental fruit holding means including a plurality of fruit contacting members adapted to contact the cut face of the half fruit, there being provision for relative yielding movement of one of said complemental holding members with respect to the cut face of the half fruit, mechanical means for relatively moving said fruit holding members to cause them to contact the fruit and hold the same therebetween, means for cutting the half fruit while so held, means for locking one of said complemental members from movement while in contact with the cut face of the half fruit during at least a portion of the movement of the cutting means, and means for relatively withdrawing one of said complemental members contacting the cut face of the half fruit from said out face before the other complemental member is so relatively Withdrawn.

26. In combination, fruit holding means for holding a half fruit therebetween including relatively movable complemental fruit holding members adapted to engage the cut face of the half fruit, mechanical means for relatively shifting said members into contact with the cut face of the half fruit in a common plane', one of said members having a fruit contacting surface of relatively smaller superficial area than the other and adapted to lie when in said common plane wholly within the marginal coniines of the other, said member of larger superficial area being yieldingly mounted whereby to permit the same to yield with respect to the cut face of the half fruit, whereby to compensate for variations in thicknesses of the half fruit, means for locking said larger member while the latter is in a. position to which it is yieldingly shifted, and mechanical means @or relatively withdrawing said complemental members from the cut face of the half fruit including means for relatively withdrawing the member of larger superficial area from contact with the cut face of the half fruit while leaving the member of relatively smaller suplercial area in Contact with the fruit.

27. In a fruit treating apparatus, the combination of means for holding a half fruit along its curved surfaces, a support, means for moving the support and the lrst holding means relatively, means forming a yielding mounting for said support, a complemental fruit contacting member tiltably mounted on said support and adapted to contact the plane face of the fruit, and spring means disposed between said tiltably mounted member and its support.

28. The combination of means for holding a half fruit, said means embracing curved portions of the half fruit, complemental fruit holding means adapted to engage the cut face of 

